Spare Times for March 25-31

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“Geisler, Cipriana and her Daughter” (2011) by Irma Bohórquez-Geisler is on view in the “Staten Island Unlimited: The Borough’s First Triennial of Photography” exhibition at Alice Austen House on Staten Island. See listing below.CreditCreditIrma Bohórquez-Geisler/Alice Austen House

A listing of discussions, film screenings, cultural activities and walking tours in New York City. Information on events for possible inclusion in Spare Times should be sent to weekend@nytimes.com by Friday at 5 p.m. for publication the following week. More Spare Times events are in a searchable guide at nytimes.com/events.

Museums and Sites

American Museum of Natural History: ‘Countdown to Zero’ (through Jan. 2) Smallpox is the only human disease to have been eradicated, but what about Guinea worm, polio, malaria and others? This exhibition, presented in collaboration with the Carter Center, examines international efforts to control and wipe out infection. Daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-769-5200, amnh.org.

American Museum of Natural History: ‘Dark Universe’ (continuing) With the return of the Hayden Planetarium, which closed in August for renovations, comes the latest space show, “Dark Universe.” Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the film explores mysterious dark matter and dark energy, and how scientists are working to improve their understanding of these phenomena. Every half-hour from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays; to 5 p.m. on weekends, Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-769-5200, amnh.org.

American Museum of Natural History: ‘The Secret World Inside You’ (through Aug. 14) In recent years, the microbiome — the roughly 100 trillion bacteria living inside and on human bodies — has been a popular talking point for science journalism. With ever-evolving research into this mysterious area of study, there’s still plenty left to explore. Now, it’s getting the exhibition treatment in this look at what scientists are learning about the role bacteria plays in health. Central Park West and 79th Street, 212-769-5200, amnh.org.

Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum: ‘Gilded Age Glamour: Fashions From the Bartow-Pell Collection’ (through April 30) On a superficial level, this exhibition’s display of clothing and fashion illustrations is about the decadence of the Gilded Age. But it is also a glimpse into how fashion related to the public and private lives of New York families in the late 1800s. And what better site for that than the lavish 19th-century Bartow-Pell Mansion? 895 Shore Road North, Pelham Bay Park, the Bronx, 718-885-1461, bartowpellmansionmuseum.org.

Brooklyn Historical Society: ‘Brooklyn Americans: Hockey’s Forgotten Promise’ (closes on Sunday) The New York Islanders may be new to Brooklyn, but the borough isn’t new to hockey. This exhibition tells the story of its first National Hockey League team, the Brooklyn Americans. The team wore red, white and blue jerseys and represented Kings County at the height of World War II and in the early days of the N.H.L. Still, as the exhibition shows, the team was unsuccessful and ultimately financially doomed. 128 Pierrepont Street, near Clinton Street, Brooklyn Heights, 718-222-4111, brooklynhistory.org.

‘The Discovery of King Tut’ (through May 15) The king himself doesn’t make an appearance at this exhibition; the focus is the wealth of treasures from his tomb, along with the history of what happened when the British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered it in 1922. Reproductions of the artifacts are on display, with explanations about how excavation and preservation work were carried out. Premier Exhibitions 5th Avenue, 417 Fifth Avenue, at 38th Street, 646-979-4120, tutnyc.com.

Discovery Times Square: ‘Vikings’ (through Sept. 5) This exhibition, which features more than 500 artifacts, explores why Vikings have held onto the popular imagination for more than 1,000 years — and why they are often misunderstood. Neil Genzlinger, in his New York Times review of the show, wrote: “What’s most interesting about the exhibition, though, is the way it places Vikings within the evolving world. It includes, for instance, a shell found on Gotland, the Swedish island, that came from the waters off distant Cyprus, because one thing Vikings were good at was getting around.” 226 West 44th Street, Manhattan, 866-987-9692, discoverytsx.com.

Garden City Mega City (through Sept. 4) This exhibition uses projects from the Singapore-based architecture firm WOHA to explore the challenges of urban development, particularly in densely packed tropical cities. WOHA has earned a worldwide reputation for innovative techniques that emphasize green space, healthy living and other amenities in its skyscrapers. In May, the firm will publish a book that shares the show’s title, focusing on construction techniques that minimize the environmental impact of tall buildings and dense new cities. Both the book and the exhibition aim to influence construction norms with an eye toward more environmentally friendly techniques for high-rises and urban landscapes. Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place, between First Place and Little West Street, Battery Park City, 212-968-1961, skyscraper.org.

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: ‘On the Line: Intrepid and the Vietnam War’ (through Sept. 1) Visitors familiar with this museum are likely to be well aware of its flight deck, perhaps even some of its wartime history. During the Vietnam War, the Intrepid served three tours overseas between 1966 and 1969. Now, in an exhibition set in the space where the crew members lived and worked, the museum tells their stories with artifacts, film clips and photographs. Pier 86, 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Clinton, 877-957-7447, intrepidmuseum.org.

Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning: ‘Black Royals’ (through Thusday) This exhibition to celebrate Black History Month brings in works lent by the African American Museum of Nassau County, including portraits of the dark-skinned British queens Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1744-1818) and Philippa of Hainault (1314-1369) — who both, some argue, had African ancestry. 161-04 Jamaica Avenue, Queens, 718-658-7400, jcal.org.

Morgan Library & Museum: ‘Wagner’s “Ring”: Forging an Epic’ (through April 17) Using a mix of manuscripts, costumes and other artifacts, this exhibition tells the story of how Wagner created his epic masterpiece — the four-opera cycle “Der Ring des Nibelungen” — including its first staging in Bayreuth, Germany, in 1876, and its American premiere in 1889 at the Metropolitan Opera House. Zachary Woolfe, in his review of the exhibition for The New York Times, wrote: “Audio and video clips of the cycle, distributed generously through the installation, open up the memorabilia and scores like air in a balloon, endowing mere paper with reminders of the boldness and loftiness that so astonished Wagner’s early audiences.” 225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street, 212-685-0008, themorgan.org.

Museum of Chinese in America: ‘Sub Urbanisms: Casino Urbanization, Chinatowns and the Contested American Landscape’ (through Sunday) Stephen Fan, an architecture professor and curator, examines the trend of Chinese casino workers’ converting suburban homes in Connecticut into multifamily communities. This exhibition is both creative and historical; it examines the present to imagine the future of housing design, while looking back on the events that created the trend of suburban migration. 215 Centre Street, between Howard and Grand Streets, Lower Manhattan, 212-619-4785, mocanyc.org.

Museum of the Moving Image: ‘The World of “Anomalisa” ' (closes on Sunday) Two sets, as well as puppets of the film’s main characters, make up an installation of materials from “Anomalisa,” directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson. Written by Mr. Kaufman, the movie uses meticulous stop-motion animation to explore themes of love and alienation with his usual mind-boggling touch. 35th Avenue at 37th Street, Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077, movingimage.us.

New York Botanical Garden: ‘The Orchid Show: Orchidelirium’ (through April 17) Thousands of orchids are on view in the 14th edition of the Orchid Show, which follows the history of orchid collecting and 19th-century “orchidelirium” — the word used to describe the dangerous, seemingly insane risks explorers took to get this flower from jungles around the world. A variety of events, such as dance performances and readings, accompany this exhibition; more information is at nybg.org/exhibitions/2016/orchid-show. Bronx River Parkway (Exit 7W) and Fordham Road, Bedford Park, the Bronx, 718-817-8700.

New York Public Library: ‘100 Years of the Picture Collection: From Abacus to Zoology’ (through May 15) The library celebrates the centennial of its Picture Collection with a sort of greatest-hits exhibition chosen from nearly 1.5 million images. (Lined up, the length of the photos surpasses even the height of the Empire State Building, which is, of course, included in the archive.) Subjects in the collection are organized alphabetically and number about 12,000. Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, 917-275-6975, nypl.org/locations/schwarzman; free.

New York Public Library: ‘Shakespeare’s Star Turn in America’ (through May 27) In the 400 years since Shakespeare’s death, his works have taken on lives of their own. This exhibition looks at his plays as they rose and fell in popularity through North American history. The library displays its own store of artifacts, including scripts, photos, programs and letters, allowing visitors to learn how Shakespearean productions reflected cultural standards and concerns, from Colonial times to the present day. New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 111 Amsterdam Avenue, at 65th Street, Lincoln Center, 917-275-6975, nypl.org/lpa; free.

New York Transit Museum: ‘Bringing Back the City’ (continuing) This new exhibition comes three years after Hurricane Sandy took a swipe at the city’s infrastructure. But what of the people who put the pieces back together? “Bringing Back the City” tells the stories of everyday services — like electricity and mass transit — that become extraordinary in times of crisis. Boerum Place, at Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn Heights, 718-694-1600, bringingbackthecity.com.

New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex: ‘Transit Etiquette, or: How I Learned to Stop Spitting and Step Aside in 25 Languages’ (through July 10) “Dude ... stop the spread” posters are ubiquitous in the New York City subway these days, but what other transit faux pas have drawn attention through the years? This new exhibition displays posters from various periods and parts of the world that try to promote better commuting behavior through art and humor. Grand Central Terminal, 212-878-0106, mta.info/mta/museum; free.

New York’s Yiddish Theater: From the Bowery to Broadway (through July 31) Yiddish theater was once a thriving part of Jewish life on the Lower East Side. Auditoriums that seated thousands of visitors would draw audiences every week, and tropes that started there eventually influenced Broadway houses, Hollywood studios and quintessential New York City humor. This exhibition looks at the history of Yiddish theater and its continuing impact on today’s entertainment. It is organized by Edna Nahshon, who wrote a book that shares its title. Museum of the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672, mcny.org.

Rubin Museum of Art: ‘Sacred Spaces’ (through Oct. 17) This exhibition’s premise is a question: What is a sacred space? It could be the museum’s Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, an immersive look at a traditional space for prayer and meditation. Or it could be a panoramic vista among the Himalayas. It could even be a video installation about Jain devotional rituals. All are on view in this exploration of veneration and its venues. 150 West 17th Street, Chelsea, 212-620-5000, rubinmuseum.org.

Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: ‘Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains’ (through Dec. 4) This exhibition takes a long view of Native American ledger art, tracing the form from its 18th-century roots through its contemporary revival, which began in the 1970s. A type of narrative drawing, ledger art can illustrate anything from the artist’s identity to important cultural events. 1 Bowling Green, Lower Manhattan, 212-514-3700, nmai.si.edu; free.

‘Staten Island Unlimited: The Borough’s First Triennial of Photography’ (through Aug. 31) Using the work of 35 photographers, this exhibit explores themes and narratives related to Staten Island. Works on display include Irma Bohórquez-Geisler’s black-and-white photos of recent Mexican immigrants to the borough; scenes from Kissam Avenue, documented by Robin Michals in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy; and Gareth Smit’s portraits from Tompkinsville, which depict the community after Eric Garner’s death. Artist talks and other events to complement the showcase are scheduled throughout the run. Alice Austen House, 2 Hylan Boulevard, at Edgewater Street, Staten Island, 718-816-4506, aliceausten.org.

Events

Coney Island Opening Day (Saturday) After having to reschedule last week’s opening because of winter weather, the Coney Island amusements return for the season with a series of events that recognize the area’s history and celebrate its future. At Deno’s Wonderwheel Amusement Park, the 31st “Blessing of the Rides” commences at 11 a.m. The first 96 visitors will get to ride the wheel for free, in honor of the attraction’s 96th year. Over at Luna Park the day kicks off with a ceremony featuring the traditional “Egg Cream Christening” of the Cyclone’s front car taking place at 11:30, with the park officially opening at noon. The first 100 people in line will get to ride the newly refurbished roller coaster for free. Live entertainment, games and giveaways will happen in the park throughout the day. Coney Island boardwalk, between West Eighth and West 15th Streets, Brooklyn, lunaparknyc.com, 718-373-5862; www.wonderwheel.com, 718-372-2592.

Easter Parades (Saturday and Sunday) On Saturday, the Brownsville section of Brooklyn hosts its own Easter parade, beginning at noon, from Zion Triangle to Betsy Head Park. Locals of all ages and a number of community groups will participate, and the march will end with an egg hunt. The parade and the hunt will have live entertainment and a number of other attractions. Then on Sunday, it’s time for a New York institution — the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival, beginning at 10 a.m., on Fifth Avenue, near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The tradition stretches back to the 1870s and features wild and creative outfits, with special focus on huge hats and funky fascinators.

Full Bunny Contact (through Sunday) Think of this annual carnival-like event as an Easter nightmare come true. In the main event, three people are put in a caged field, armed only with Easter baskets, and are given 60 seconds to collect as many eggs as possible. The catch: Three deranged bunnies (or, at least, people in bunny suits) do everything they can to block the contestants without actually touching them. (Contestants aren’t allowed to touch the bunnies either.) Eggs can be cashed in for prizes that range from petty (candy) to valuable (Broadway theater tickets). At various times; LATEA Theater at the Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street, between Rivington and Delancey Streets, Lower East Side; fullbunnycontact.com.

National Geographic Live (Tuesday) The final installment of this season of the “National Geographic Live” series brings the Emmy-winning cinematographer Bob Poole to the Skirball Center, where he will talk about his new six-part PBS/National Geographic series on Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. He’ll share examples of his work and tell some of his secrets for filming wildlife and wild scenery. The talk will also touch on the importance of conservation and the enormous undertaking of park preservation in the continuing aftermath of Mozambique’s civil war. At 7:30 p.m., 566 La Guardia Place, at Washington Square South, Greenwich Village, 866-811-4111, nyuskirball.org.

Spoken Word

‘De Materie’ Conversations (Friday and Saturday) Louis Andriessen’s masterpiece “De Materie” — opening next week at the Park Avenue Armory — is a meditation on matter and spirit that can easily boggle the mind. The coming talks may help to make sense of the work. On Friday John Schaefer of WNYC speaks with the the Bang on a Can co-founder Julia Wolfe and the composers Nathan Michel and Donnacha Dennehy about Mr. Andriessen’s influences on new music. And on Saturday, Mr. Andriessen joins Mr. Goebbels, the conductor Peter Rundel and Pierre Audi, artistic director of the Armory, for a talk with the dramaturg Cori Ellison. At 6 p.m., 643 Park Avenue, at 67th Street, 212-933-5812, armoryonpark.org.

Life After Life in Prison: A Conversation on Women’s Incarceration (Monday) More than one million women are imprisoned in the United States, and they face unique challenges before conviction, during their time in the system and after they are released. Experts on the panel will discuss these circumstances and examine why women are the fastest-growing population in American prisons. Sara Bennett is one of the panelists, and her photo exhibition about formerly incarcerated women — which shares the discussion’s title — will be on display. Registration is required. At 6 p.m., New York Law School Auditorium, 185 West Broadway, at Leonard Street, TriBeCa, 646-564-5978, nywf.org; free.

Strand Ovation Series: Fun Home (Monday) “Fun Home” the book (Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir) is having its 10th birthday, and the playwright-composer team who brought it to Broadway are coming to the Strand to celebrate. Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori will talk about the work, which casts a spotlight on a nontraditional family and explores the spectrum of sexuality. At 7 p.m., Strand Book Store, 828 Broadway, at 12th Street, 212-473-1452, strandbooks.com.

Walking Tours

Long Island City Tours: Queens Cool Uncovered (Sunday) The idea behind this tour is that Queens is due for more attention, starting with Long Island City. The tour includes highlights of the neighborhood’s history and arts scene, with stops at galleries and crafts and food vendors. The meeting location is given at registration. At 2:30 p.m., 212-209-3370, bqetours.com.

Broadway Close Up: ‘Act I’ (daily) Broadway Close Up’s flagship tour takes participants through the history of Manhattan’s theater district, from its origins in the 1880s to this season’s hits. Highlights include the busy 42nd Street, ghost stories and theaters where history was made — including the Nederlander Theater, where the tour begins and where the musical “Rent” introduced changes (like ticket lotteries) that are popular today. At 11 a.m., beginning at 208 West 41st Street, Manhattan, 917-841-0187, broadwayupclose.com.

‘Chelsea and the High Line’ (Wednesday) The route of this Big Onion walking tour explores the neighborhood’s development from an agricultural center in the 18th century to the industrial heart of Manhattan in the early 20th. The walk includes a visit to the High Line, as well as possible stops at the General Theological Seminary, the birthplace of the Oreo cookie and the Chelsea Hotel — in front of which the tour begins. At 11 a.m., 222 West 23rd Street, 888-606-9255, bigonion.com.

Flatiron District Walking Tour (Sunday) This free tour meets at 11 a.m. on the southwest corner of Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Broadway, in front of the William Seward statue. Sponsored by the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership; discoverflatiron.org.

‘Ghosts of Grand Central’ (Saturday) This haunted walk through Grand Central doubles as a history lesson about the notable commuters of the past, such as August Belmont, Franklin D. Roosevelt and, of course, his Scottish terrier, Fala. The tour meets in front of the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex, in the hallway west of the train station’s famous four-sided clock. Saturdays through March 26 at 7:30 p.m., 646-493-7092, ghostsofny.com.

History of Wall Street Tour (weekdays) Stops on this tour, led by Wall Street Walks, include the New York Stock Exchange, Trinity Church, the Wall Street Bull, ground zero and the Sept. 11 memorial. The tours last 90 minutes and begin at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (Also at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.) More details: wallstreetwalks.com.

Rebel Women of Downtown New York (Sunday) As Women’s History Month draws to a close, the Municipal Arts Society takes a look at the powerful and rebellious women who have left their mark on the city’s history. Kathleen Hulser, an urban historian, leads the group through Greenwich Village, teaching them along the way about characters like Rose Butler, an enslaved girl who tried to burn down her mistress’s house, and the political activist Angela Davis. Meeting location will be announced after tickets are purchased. At 2 p.m., 212-935-3960, mas.org.

A Taste of Jewish New York: Borough Park Tour (Sunday) Participants in this tour will get an insider’s look at the customs of the Hasidic residents of Borough Park, Brooklyn. Highlights include a stop at a lively shopping area and the chance to try a variety of traditional foods. Modest attire is requested. The tour meets at 10:45 a.m. at Fort Hamilton Parkway and 44th Street; 718-339-2302, timelinetouring.com.

Information on events for possible inclusion in Spare Times should be sent to weekend@nytimes­.com by Friday at 5 p.m. for publication the following week. Longer versions of Around Town and For Children listings are in a searchable guide at nytimes­.com­/events.